Mike Pouraryan
"Outsiders" Africa Watch (9/3/2011): South Africa, ZImbabwe & Other Thoughts
Link: youtu.be/goDjpWTOfDg
I begin the first edition of this month's "outsiders" Africa Watch with a special focus on South Africa. South Africa is the regional powerhouse and Africa's largest Economy. What has been going on is of profound concern.Right now, the African National Congress Youth Leader has been summoned before the African National Congress. The latest reports I have reported have noted that the ANC has postponed further hearings until September 11. What has led to this hearing is what should concern all South Africans.
Julius Malema, the Youth Leader, is quite a colorful character. I think he has tapped into the profound frustruation that all South Africans have with the lack of jobs and opportunitiesi since the end of Apartheid. Apartheid ended 15 years ago. Although South Africans have experienced growth, the growth appears to be uneven and the townships seem to be growing and poverty seems to be ever more.
What I am increasingly worried about is how the goodwill that the election of Nelson Mandela brought about is increasingly being frayed. I remember a KAL Cartoon in the Economist about the "big shoes" that the post-Mandela leadership had to fill. From where I sit, they have not succeeded simply because the agitated state of the Youth in South Africa is a time bomb. The Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe, noted this warning which also goes to the longer term problem of the Youth losing faith in the current South African Leadership. 2.8 Million people is quite a staggering number.
As Julius Malema has fashioned himself as a "Man of the People", the Scorpoions have launched an investigation into his financial dealings. I am not sure whether it is politically motivated, but the spectre of corruption is something that South Africa has dealt with for years. What I also am distrubed by is how he is squandering all the goodwill and trying to further agitate a very restless population. I was so concerned about his tirades that I actually posted a thought on the South African Presidency's Facebook Page asking that someone read him the riot act. Although I am glad to see this actually happening, I wonder whether any follow through will be made or not.
Jacob Zuma, on the other hand, is apparently gearing up to run for re-election soon and is trying to get all the political scores settled. I have bee impressed with him with the firm stance he's taken on Zimbabwe and some of the changes he made not too ago about his Cabinet. But, he still has to deliver for the people and build upon the achievements. South Africa is a powerhouse and it is yet to fully realize its' potential. Malema is trying to position himself as the future--but he has to understand that he is not. Advocating the overthrow of the Government of Botswana is not showing leadership--far from it.
Beyond South Africa, there is of course Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has fallen off the World's radar screen because of Libya and other "pressing" matters. But, the people of Zimbabwe continue to linger on with their miserable life as Mugabe and his henchmen continue on. I have seen recent reports that apparently age is finally starting to catch up with the butcher. But, he is not willing to give up and the recent death of Solomon Mujoro, who was supposedly a "moderate" throws away all potential calculations. Mujoro, who's wife is one of Mugabe's VIce Presidents, was the power behind the thrown. He died on his farm--a farm that was taken over from a white farmer. He grew to be a very rich man and held a lot of sway over the Army--the real power in ZImbabwe. What happens now is anyone's guess. Mugabe, in the meantime, was rumored to be considering given Gaddafi an opportunity to seek assylum--just as he did to the dictator and murderer Mengistu in Ethopia. I have to wonder when the people of Zimbabwe will actually be rid of the butcher who seems never to want to give up?
Moving up to Central Africa, I am fascinated by what the International Court of Justice has done regarding Kenya. A number of leading Kenyan politicans are apparently due to appear before the International Court of Justice to face charges. The son of Kenya' Founder and a former Minister of Education and potential Presidential Candidate are amongst the people "called to the bar". Whether that would help create a sense of justice and fairness remains to be seen.
What is clear, though, is that the people of Kenya and Africa are not accepting business as usual--and that I see to be the most hopeful for the future of Africa.
